California authorities believe a Scottish tourist may have faked his own death, in order to avoid rape charges he stands accused of in his native country.
After diving into the rocky waters off the coast of Carmel, which is known for its particularly hazardous currents, Kim Gordon allegedly vanished. The Scottish tourist's 17-year-old was then prompted to recount the story of his father's sudden disappearance, which allegedly took place on Feb. 25, per Los Angeles Times.
After investigating for several days, the US Coast Guard and California Parks Department could not locate Gordon's body despite conducting drone and helicopter searches. The coast of Carmel is termed "Mortuary Beach" by some in reference to the lives that have been lost on account of treacherous currents.
When authorities were unable to find Gordon's body, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office expanded their probe into Gordon's background. They then discovered that he is currently due to be tried on more than two dozen counts of rape in Scotland. The Sheriff's department began reexamining the details Gordon's son relayed to police, which they reported was a fragmented account. "The story we were given by the son can’t answer those questions, and that’s where it all started to fall apart," said Sheriff’s Captain John Thornburg.
Authorities then expressed skepticism regarding whether Gordon had faked his own disappearance to evade his possible arrest in Scotland. "The son didn't actually see his father go in the water," Michael Dalington, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office dive team supervisor, told KION. "We don't have a witness that saw him go in, so it's kinda like a needle in a haystack."
The U.S. Marshals Service is now working with the Monterey County Sheriff's office to track Gordon down. Should he be found alive, his son could face legal trouble for falsifying a police report.
